The reason is obvious. How can you praise a dog for doing something right if you are not there to see it? The owner should go outside with his dog. Supervision is crucial at this time!

This means that somebody has to take the dog outside. Somebody must place him in the proper position and the proper place for elimination, so that the action can be followed by praise. Somebody must be there to praise him. Dogs learn by associating their actions with pleasing or displeasing results. It is not enough that somebody is there to chastise and verbally admonish the dog for doing wrong; someone must be there to praise him for doing right.

The praise will be relatively meaningless unless it comes from the leader of the pack. This is you, his owner. If you fail to live up to your responsibilities, then you cannot justifiably blame your mature dog for failing to live up to his. Someone must show him the way. In the dog’s mind, it only counts if the teacher is the person the he loves and in whom he has confidence.

When you take your dog outside and fifteen minutes have elapsed without him eliminating, bring him back inside the house. But the supervision should not stop. In fact, it should be more constant. When the dog drops his nose to the floor and starts sniffing again, the owner should once again take him outside.

When your dog eliminates outside, you should be right there when it happens and praise him, then bring him back inside the house immediately. It is the same method that should be used if dealing with a puppy. Praise and correction are the keys with which we can successfully communicate with your dog.

It takes four days for the average dog to learn an average thing. For the mature dog or puppy who has unlearned something, it also takes four days for that dog to unlearn a learned behavior. Supervision is crucial to your success. The dog must be kept under constant watch while indoors so that positive corrective action can be taken.

The methods are identical for the dog that has never been housetrained. When a person adopts a mature dog from a pound, the dog is brought home and inside the house where he immediately eliminates on the floor. Training is therefore, crucial. It is much easier to train a mature dog than it is a puppy. Any dog, whether a year or twelve years old, can be trained to eliminate outdoors if the four day rule is followed through. The four day requirement for learning to take place in your dog’s mind should provide you with all the necessary patience.

Regardless of your dog’s age, praise is the communicating factor. Too many people feel that chastisement is the key. This is not true! Praise is the main ingredient. But in order to praise the dog for doing the right action, one must be with him nearby so that he can administer the praise.

There are five basic principles that a knowledgeable dog trainer always follows: Patience, knowledge, repetition, praise, and correction. By following these principals, you will have your housetrained dog back in less than a week. Good luck!

Related Post
Dog Potty Training

That is, communicating your desires to your pet and requiring that he respond in a certain manner, all the time. But when a normally trained canine suddenly behaves in a manner differently than from the way he has been trained to behave, the owner must search for the cause before trying to find a cure.

Is it possible for an occasional accident to become a learned behavior in your mature dog? If an occasional accident goes unnoticed by a dog owner for any length of time, the possibility exists that the dog’s actions will become a habit. Consistency in performing a particular act results in that act becoming a learned behavior. Therefore, it is possible for a perfectly housebroken dog to become “trained” to use the bathroom indoors due entirely to lack of proper supervision.

When this situation happens, there is no alternative except positive retraining methods. Removing the motivator is fine in the early stages, before the bad act become a learned behavior, but when the act has been allowed to become a routine, then it is the owner’s responsibility to retrain the dog.

Retraining is relatively simple and requires a minimum amount of patience, but a maximum amount of supervision. The training, on the surface, is similar to house training a puppy. The primary difference, and a fact which is in the dog owner’s favor, is that the new puppy doesn’t know he has done wrong when he makes a mistake in the house. A new puppy is not quite sure at first why he’s scolded in the house and praised in the yard. The mature dog is quite tuned in to two of the five basic principles of training – correction and praise.

The keys to successfully re-housetraining the older dog are supervision and the judicious application of praise and correction. It would be unwise for the dog owner to follow the dog from room to room and, in fact, this tactic just might prevent the dog from making the mistake; thus, it would prevent corrective measures from being established. The dog’s actions must be completely supervised, but he should not feel that he is being watched.

A typical situation might find the family sitting in the kitchen eating dinner, with the family pet sleeping near the living room. Suddenly, the dog gets up, stretches, yawns, and slowly makes his way down the hallway to another room. The dog owner should then follow, unobtrusively, to keep an eye on the actions of the dog.

Related Post
Dog Potty Training

A dog of this type could develop a psychosomatic urinary tract infection, therefore giving him a reason to eliminate at will anywhere in the house. Such a condition can be inspired by the arrival of another pet like a cat or a bird, a new baby, or any other attention-stealing tangible. Verbal punishment in such cases will only perpetuate the problem.

The dog is getting attention which is, after all, what he wanted in the first place. As long as he is getting this extra attention, whether it is shaming or admonishment, he will continue whatever action prompts his attention. Competition can cause a breakdown in toilet habits without the problem evolving into a psychosomatic urinary tract infection. The dog owner should understand that competition alone can be the cause of the problem. And when there is competition, the dog wets!

The competition can be real or imagined. In either case, a thorough examination into any recent changes in household routine would be in order. Something may be giving the dog a feeling that his position, or your affection for him is in jeopardy. Whether actual or simply imagined, it is very real to the dog. If competition is to blame, extra time spent with your dog, and maybe even exaggerated affection, will normally suffice in removing the motivator of his bad deeds.

Then there is the sort of dog who indulges in the type of wetting where he lifts his leg against everything; bedding, curtains, furniture, etc. and finds it necessary to try and own or control his environment by wetting on it. This is the type of dog who is self-oriented, selfish, narcissistic animal that he wets on everything to make it more his own territory. This is a dog that needs a master in all the purest and literal sense of the word.

That type of dog suddenly realizes that he is the leader of the pack, although he really doesn’t want to be. This dog is insecure and wants, in fact needs, strong and confident leadership. These actions usually materialize as a result of soft, permissive, easy-going dog owners who spoil and baby their dog. The ratio of love and discipline are tipped only in the direction of love.

Love in this instance is not a healthy love, both for the dog owner and his dog. It’s permissiveness by an owner who is afraid that discipline may cause the dog to not like the owner. In reality, mistaken kindness can be a bitter and unneeded cruelty. When these dogs are placed in the pound and put to sleep, there’s nobody to blame but their owners who thought so little of their pets that they failed to bring them up with the proper balance of love, discipline, and control.

Related Post
Dog Potty Training

These are difficult questions, since a dog five years of age can be considered old, while a six-year old dog may still be, to a certain extent, a puppy. No two dogs are exactly alike. One dog’s metabolism may be old at four years while another may not show signs of the aging process until eight or ten years old.

The first solution is to go to your vet. The reason is simple – the aging process is not the only medical reason why a perfectly well-housetrained dog may suddenly backslide and forget his toilet training. The reason for the unwanted activity must be discovered and properly dealt with though. Unwanted activity, when not properly corrected, can soon become a learned reaction.

Your dog’s vet can examine your pet and rule out such possibilities as nephritis, diabetes, or both. These two diseases can cause a dog the inability to hold urine. A urinary tract infection may be the cause, whether your dog is considered old or simply middle-aged. Your vet can check to make sure parasites or infections are not causing the incontinence.

Whether your dog is young, middle-aged, or old, a thorough medical examination by a vet is the first and most important aspect to consider when a dog that was perfectly housebroken suddenly forgets and has accidents. Only when all possible medical causes are ruled out should you start examining the possible psychological causes.

To have a better understanding of the many possible psychological causes, we must start with the simple and progress to the complex. If you own a male who quite suddenly forgets that he is housebroken, examine the possibility of a female in heat right next door. The compulsion to lift a leg in such cases is very overpowering and surpasses even the most rigid puppy training.

The problem here is, once the “mark” is left on the leg of the dining room chair, the scent remains long after the female dog next door completes her heat cycle. The scent instinctively draws the dog back to that same location for repeated leg raises.

The problem becomes worse if shag carpeting is involved. Wiping it up with water magnifies the problem because of the possibility of mildew. Mildew is notorious for attracting dogs. This type of accident (and it is considered an accident) is quite normal when a female dog is in heat nearby. Even the well-trained dog feels the compulsion to leave his marking. This lets the female dog know (or so the male dog thinks) that there is a perfectly capable and willing stud close by.

One of the best formulas for removing the urine scent from furniture, drapes, and carpeting is club soda. Removing it is a must if you are to return your dog to the status of the well-trained household pet that you know he is. Scolding and verbal reprimand at the time of the accident is perfectly in order as long as you have ruled out medical causes.

Related Post
Dog Potty Training

The possible alternative, such as a defrosting refrigerator, leaky water pipes, or a spilled cup of coffee give way to the awful truth; he actually sees the loyal household dog in the act of soiling inside the house.

The screaming and disbelief was followed by the slam of the back door as the old family pet is quickly banished out-of-doors like a nine-week old puppy that had just had an accident. Such harsh and fast action in such an instance can have serious and detrimental effects on the older dog. Whenever a completely housebroken dog starts urinating in the house, there is a medical or psychological cause involved.

The medical reasons will be covered first, since the majority of cases can be traced to that cause, rather than the psychological. It is important that the reasons for such behavior be pointed out and thoroughly checked before any retraining techniques are instituted.

Most dog owners know that the aging process of their dog will manifest itself in a gradual loss of hearing, followed by diminished vision. Squeezed somewhere in between, signs of arthritis might show up, decreased in appetite, more frequent naps, and other tell-tale signs which may become evident. What is not widely known is that toilet training is one of the first things to go!

Because this fact is not widely known and realized, it causes frustration and confusion to the dog owner who suddenly thinks that his dog has forgotten, is not as smart as previously thought, is lazy, or has turned into a sneak. Such behavior on the part of a perfectly housetrained dog could simply be the first signs of the inevitable aging process. In this aging process, the muscles of the bladder gradually lose their control.

In the male, the aging process can also cause the prostate gland to enlarge, and this will produce an inflammation which will cause him to urinate often. Kidney diseases occurs in about 76% of dogs over eight years of age. When a dog ages, there is a gradual degeneration of kidney tissue with a weakening of the kidney function.

The older dog should drink at least twice the amount of water than a younger dog since the older dog’s kidneys will require it. Naturally, this will involve more frequent urination, thus more trips to the bathroom.

Where the middle-aged dog would have required being let out in the morning and once at night, the aging process will require more freedom outdoors. In most cases, the older dog will try to make his needs known to his owner. However, the owner, who is used to a regular routine, just isn’t tuned in to the dog’s new requirement. Then, the old dog is left with just one alternative. It’s just as embarrassing to him as it may be to the owner.

In such cases, shaming and scolding will only make the situation worse, especially if the dog tried to communicate, only to have his communication fall on deaf or inattentive ears.

Related Post
Dog Potty Training

Dogs need to know their limits when inside, outside and in public places. It is wise decision to take the help of a dog trainer to learn the tricks of handling this pet without spoiling its personality. To get to know a good trainer approach your vet or pet store; these trainers often hold private lessons with the pet and the owner but it is just as easy to solve your pet behavior problem by attending any online course on pet management.

Part of this training is to teach the owner how to handle their pet. There is a saying amongst trainers however that it is far easier to train dogs than the people that own them! You want to leash train your dog before you take him out in a park or public but before you do this you must get them accustomed to it first. Barking is often a behavior that distresses owners and neighbors. If you shout or punish your pet for barking it does not serve any purpose - on the contrary it leaves the animal confused.

So why does a dog bark? Well, just like a young child or baby, it needs attention, food or something to drink. Remember burglars get scared when a dog barks; remember this the next time you punish him for barking because it may not be a wise decision. It is not a good idea having your puppy bark, even during play if you are likely too shout at him when he barks as an adult.

You can bring about a change in behavior in your favor by providing the occasional bit of praise and a special treat; which is something the trainer will show you how to achieve. You need to know how to reward your pet so they get the correct message and repeat the desired behavior or cease the less desirable traits. Most important to note: you can not expect a dog to learn certain behaviors which are against his genetic behavioral pattern. To make your pet follow specific behavioral training, you ought to choose one from a breed with can give you what you need. Good dog behavior can be the result of patience, determination and the love you give to the animal.

Related Post
Dog Behavior Training

Before you undergo any intensive hunting dog training with your pet, it first needs to understand the basics of obedience. Having a dog that is going to listen to you, whether it is in the training class or in the field can make the entire experience very pleasurable. Although your dog is probably going to have a little bit of room to run whenever it is out on the hunt, the last thing that you want to have happen is for it to disobey you whenever you do give it a command. This can put both you and the dog in harm’s way so make sure that they understand the basics of obedience before beginning any hunting dog training.

Hunting dog training should begin at home. Although it is possible to take your dog out in the field immediately and begin training it there, it is often better if they begin this training in an environment which they are used to. My particular favorite type of hunting dog is a bird dog and I enjoy training them regularly. I first start by tying a pigeon wing to the end of a fishing line and casting it out into the yard. This helps to teach the dog to stay on point and even to trail the bird because I will slowly retrieve it with the fishing rod.

Eventually, you will be able to take the hunting dog training out into the field. This is where it really becomes enjoyable and you are even able to hunt during the time that your dog is undergoing the training process. Remember, this type of training is an ongoing thing so the course is never complete. By allowing your dog to do what it has bred for, both you and your pet will enjoy this time together.

Related Post:
Dog Training
Dog Training Tips

You may think that training a dog is easy, but many owners could tell you otherwise. When your dog has too much energy and can’t understand a word of English, trying to train your dog is like trying to control a hurricane. There is good news however; a dog harness can be an invaluable tool to get your pet to follow your directions. I’ll discuss how dog training harnesses work and how to find the best dog harness and you can determine if harnesses are something that you may be interested in trying out.

Because of the way a harness fits on a dog, many trainers think of harnesses as a humane way to train dogs. A harness sits around the midsection of your dog and wraps around its two front legs. Pulling on a neck collar is a lot more painful for a dog than pulling on a harness as the pressure is spread out over a larger area but the dog can still feel a tug.

It’s also easier to control the dog’s weight if you use a dog training harness. You have probably used a leash and neck collar on a large dog at some point in time. These large and heavy dogs can easily run away with a slight tug but it would be much harder for them to do so if they wore a harness. Because of fewer jerks and tugs between the owner and the dog, the dog experiences less discomfort and the owner feels more in control. This is why dog training harnesses are believed to be safer and more effective than regular collars.

From a dog’s perspective, most neck collars are very uncomfortable and harnesses are more enjoyable because training harnesses distribute the pressure on the dog’s shoulders and chest, which are stronger than the neck.

You can pick from a variety of harness sizes, some of which are also adjustable to fit any breed or size. If you are looking for additional comfort, make sure to buy one with soft or padded straps that go over the front of your dog’s chest. The harness must have a fairly loose fit and shouldn’t be too snug. In order for the dog to feel your commands, some tautness is needed but the fit shouldn’t be too tight. The best training harness size will allow you place a finger between your dog and the harness.

As a dog owner, you are responsible for training your dog to behave properly around strangers. Your dog should also stay with you until you decide to let him run free. By using a dog training harness correctly, you will find that training a dog to walk or stay is a lot easier than if you rely solely on a dog collar. And most importantly, your dog will also appreciate the added comfort and you will like the increased control.

Related Post:
Dog Training Collar

Both need stimulation and you can easily nurture this with fun dog games for the kids. The kids can easily learn some of these games and your dogs will love you and them.

The fun dog games for kids / dog games for girls do not require expensive equipment of any kind and take only but a few moments to learn. Often time your child may be able to invent a fun dog game that your furry friend will absolutely think is the best thing next to a bone. It does not take much thought to turn something into a fun game for the dog or the kid that expresses and challenges them both to use their creativity.

Shaking “hands” is an easy fun dog game for the kids to use. The dog learns that the kids are in charge and he is to be submissive at the same time. This begins to create the so-called pecking order in the pack now at an early age for the children and the dog.. If you have little kids, be sure to observe them at all times just to ensure everyone’s safety.

Have the dog sit down. Make sure the children are standing up and in front of the dog.. It may take several tries before the dog realizes what you are trying to have him or her do. Pick up his paw a couple of times.

He may try to lick you or the child. Have the child say paw so the dog understands what the word paw means. Have your child hold out the palm of her hand. You may need to take the dog’s paw and place it in the child’s hand too, and repeat shake several times before both parties understand the interaction based on the command.

Give the dog a treat if you feel like rewarding him. Another fun dog game for the kids you can play is hide and seek. Dogs love to sniff, roam, and find things, especially if it is you who calls their name. You could easily tell your dog to sit and remain sitting.

Now is your turn to find a quick but short distanced hiding spot from the dog. Now call out your dog’s name and if he run further away than closer yell his name a little louder until he gets it. Again reward him if you see fit. Or just give him a big belly rub.

You also could have your children run and hide and then you and the dog get to find the children. This may be more fun for the children as mom or dad get to find them as well.

And the final simple fun dog game for the kids to use is good ol’ wrestling. Now, be cautious with this one if you just got a new dog. This is recommended against then if your dog or children are small or you do not know all of the dog’s behavioral quirks yet. The dog may have had a bad experience in the past and could see the game of wrestling more as a form of aggression and attack violently thinking there is danger going on.

However, if your dog is submissive and the history is well known, a little gentle playing with the dog and the children may be okay.

Again, do watch over both parties so no one gets injured or takes it over the top. If you will allow your pet to wrestle with your children, the children need to be of a good age and size for that matter – say 8 years or older.

Older children will have the capacity to understand what is and isn’t considered okay. The children need to be the leaders when it comes to the wrestling. Dogs in the wild use their mouths to gnaw and bite as a form of playing. Us humans don’t exactly do that. The children need to lead the dog by showing what is an acceptable form of physical play.

Related Post:
Training A Dog

For most things in life, you need the right equipment in order to perform the job correctly. You can’t make a beautiful wedding cake with a frying pan, no matter how talented you are… Do you think a potato peeler could replace a plane to smooth a piece of wood? Probably not. Similarly, having the right dog training equipment can go a long way toward succeeding in training your dog to act properly.

Do you know what the right dog training equipment is? How can you be sure that you’re getting quality equipment that will be useful in training your dog? I’ll discuss all of these things here. First you have to keep in mind that there are many products available that are being advertised as “effective dog training equipment” but they are in fact inhumane torture devices designed to instill fear in your dog so that he follows your commands.

Choke collars and choke chains are examples of such dog obedience equipment that many people have stopped using because they are just downright abusive. Under no circumstances should it be all right to choke your dog. It’s understandable that you wish to control your dog, especially when you’re taking him out for a walk in a park with strangers and other dogs. A good alternative to choke collars would be to use a training harness. A training harness fits around your dog’s body as opposed to the neck. It is more comfortable for your dog and it won’t induce pain when you tug on it because the harness puts pressure on the shoulders and chest instead of the neck. Your dog’s shoulders and chest are much more stronger than his neck. An additional benefit to using a harness as dog training equipment is that it provides you with more control. If the dog suddenly tries to get away, it’s less likely to be jerked from your hands.

A muzzle could also become an important part of your dog obedience equipment. There are many reasons why some dogs bark incessantly. It could be because of your dog’s temperament or because of the location of your home. If many other animals live in your neighborhood or lots of traffic goes by, dogs will just want to bark. One abusive and ineffective technique that you could use would be to smack your dog’s face or fit him with a shock collar. A better option would be to use a muzzle to keep your dog’s mouth shut when the urge to bark arises. With time and positive reinforcement, your dog will learn. Dog training equipment is sold in stores that have a variety of muzzle types.

Related Post
Dog Training Collar